Manipulator



Oct. 12, 1937. A J. E. GIBSON ET AL 2,095,634

MANIPULATOR Filed July 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 dmesfi? 01298020 and Josepiu/i MbZLe,

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Patented Oct. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MANIPULATOR Application July 17, 1934, Serial No. 735,608

16 Claims.

Our invention relates to manipulators, that is to say, to improved apparatus for performing manipulations upon the body, wherever such manipulations are desirable, as for example upon the face and neck portions thereof.

Heretofore it has been well known that wrinkles, lines, and flabby skin might be largely eliminated by proper manipulation of the parts where such wrinkles, lines, and flabbiness occur.

It has been found that the most effective form of manipulation is that in which a succession of light blows or pats are used, combined with a suitable amount of friction or rubbing. Such manipulations, when performed by the hands of the operator, are tiring and cannot be continued for a sufficient length of time to obtain the desired results.

The principal object, therefore, of our invention is to provide a simple and efficient manipulator of the motor driven type, which may be conveniently employed for manipulating various portions of the body, and by means of which a peculiar patting and lifting action will be combined with a frictional or rubbing action.

A further object of our invention is to provide a device of the character aforesaid, by means of which the manipulation may be conveniently applied to each of the various parts, and in the proper direction for the most effective action.

A further object of our invention is to provide a device of the character aforesaid, in which the parts which are subjected to wear, or which should be changed for sanitary reasons, may be easily and quickly removed and new parts substituted therefor, by persons having comparatively little skill.

A further object of our invention is to provide a device of the character aforesaid, which is constructed and arranged for the utmost facility and convenience in its use.

The nature and characteristic features of our invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a manipulator embodying the main features of our present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, certain parts being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a preferred form of manipulation member before being mounted on the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a preferred form of device for holding the manipulation member in place;

Fig. '7 is an end elevation thereof; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view show- 5' ing a modified form of manipulation member and the carrier by means of which it is mounted on the operating shaft of the apparatus.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein contained are il- 10 lustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in the particular embodiment of our invention therein shown, I0 is an electric motor of any preferred type. Mounted at one end of said motor is a handle member I I, in the grip portion I2 of which there is preferably arranged a switch l3, which may also be of any desired type, for controlling the starting and stopping of the motor. Current is supplied to the motor through the cable l4.

On the other end of the motor l0 there is mounted a bracket I5, having sidewise extending portions l6 provided with bearings ll in which a transversely extending shaft i8 is journaleol. Power is transmitted from the shaft [9 of the motor it) to the transversely extending shaft I8 in any preferred manner, such for example as by means of the worm 20 mounted on the motor shaft l9, and which meshes with a worm wheel 2| mounted on the transversely extending shaft l8.

The respective ends of the operating shaft I8 extend beyond the extending portions of the bracket member l5, and upon each of these extending ends there is mounted a member 22, which rotates in unison with the shaft I8 and serves as a carrier for the corresponding manipulation member.

Each manipulation member preferably comprises an endless belt-like device 23, which may be made of woven fabric, leather, rubber, or any other flexible material. The manipulation member is removably secured to its carrier 22 by means of the device shown in detached detail in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. This device comprises a disk portion 24, from which two pairs of pins extend. One pair of pins 25 serves to grip and hold the belt member 23 along diametrically opposite lines, and the pins 26 of the other pair are seated in complemental grooves provided in the carrier 22.

Each manipulation member, as shown in Figs.

1 and 2 of the drawings, is provided with two distended portions 2?, which extend beyond the outermost edges of the carrier 22, being held in this position not only by reason of the inherent stiffness of the material of which the manipulation member is made, but also by the centrifugal action to which said member is subjected when the apparatus is in operation. The distended portions 27 of the manipulation member are preferably shaped with their side margins flaring, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawings.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings there is shown a modified form of manipulation member 23, and carrier 22 therefor, in which but one distended portion 27 is provided. This arrangement may be found preferable under certain circumstances. In this instance, the device for holding the manipulation member 23 on the carrier 22 has but two pins, one of which, 25, engages a portion of the manipulation member, and the other-of which, 26,.is seated'in a suitable groove in the carrier 22.. It will, of course, be understood that various other forms of manipulation members may be employed if desired.

The operation of the device will be readily apparent. When the current is switched on, and thereby supplied to the motor It), the motor Shaft IE? will be rotated, the worm 2E3 carried thereby rotating the worm wheel 2| and consequently the transverse shaft l8 upon which the worm wheel -2l is mounted. When the transverse shaft [8 is thus rotated, the manipulation members 23 will be distended to their fullest extent by reason of the centrifugal force, and one of these members may then be applied to the portion of the body to be manipulated, to which it will impart a peculiar patting and rubbing action for the desired purpose.

It should be understood that in the use of such devices suitable creams are usually employed, principally for the purpose of preventing a frictional abrasion of the skin.

The devices for attaching the manipulation members 23 to the carriers 22, carried by the transverse shaft l8, permit said members to be readily removed and replaced when worn, or when desirable'for sanitary reasons, where the same device is employed for manipulation upon several people.

By providing one of the manipulation members 23 on each end of the transverse shaft l8, greater facility in the use of the device will be afforded, as it will be seen that one side of a portion of the body may be operated on by one of the manipulation members, and when it is desired to shift to the other side of said portion of the body, by a slight turning of the entire apparatus the manipulation member on the other end of the transverse shaft may be brought into play.

We claim:

1. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a pair of manipulation members mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, each of said manipulation members having a distended portion adapted to be de flected from its normal path, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

2. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, manipulation members mounted respectively on each end of said shaft for rotation therewith, each of said members having a distended portion adapted to be de flected from its normal path, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

3. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, manipulation members mounted respectively on each end of said shaft for rotation therewith, each of said manipulation members comprising a belt having a distended portion adapted to be deflected from its normal path, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

4. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, manipulation members removably mounted respectively on each end of said shaft for rotation therewith, each of said manipulation members comprising a belt having a; distended portion adapted to be deflected from its normal path, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

5. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a pair of carriers mounted on said shaft, manipulation members mounted respectively on each of said carriers for rotation therewith, each of said members having a distended portion adapted to be deflected from its normal path, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

6. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a pair of carriers mounted on said shaft, manipulation members removably mounted respectively on each of said carriers for rotation therewith, each of said manipulation members comprising a belt having a distended portion adapted to be deflected from its normal path, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

7. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, carriers mounted respectivelyon each end of said shaft, manipulation members mounted respectively on each of said carriers for rotation therewith, each of said manipulation members having a distended portion adapted to be deflected from its normal path, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

8. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, carriers mounted respectively on each end of said shaft, manipulation members mounted respectively on each of said carriers for rotation therewith, each of said manipulation members comprising a belt having a distended portion adapted to be deflected from its normalpath, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

9. A manipulator comprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, carriers mounted respectively on: each end of said shaft, manipulation members removably mounted respectively on each of saidcarriers for rotation therewith, each of said manipulation members comprising a belt having a distended portion adapted to be 'deflected from its normal path, and a handle for alternatively applying said manipulation members to a body to be manipulated, the axis of said handle being noncoincident with the axis of the shaft.

10. A manipulation device having a rotatable member and an impact member mounted on said rotatable member for imparting successive blows upon a body to be manipulated, said impact member having a flexible strip of material formed as a loop extending outwardly from the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and movable by said rotatable member in a continuous generally circular path, said loop being distended by rotation of said rotatable member and being deflected from its normal path upon impact with the body.

11. A manipulation device having a rotatable member and a body impact member mounted on said rotatable member for movement therewith, said impact member having a flexible strip formed as a loop and movable around the axis of rotation of the rotatable member in a continuous generally circular path, said loop being distended with respect to said rotatable member by rotation of said rotatable member and being deflectable from its normal path upon impact With the body.

12. A manipulator comprising a motor, a rotatable member driven by said motor, and a body impact member having an outwardly extending portion mounted on said rotatable member for continuous movement therewith, said outwardly extending portion comprising a flexible strip formed as a loop and movable by said rotatable member in a generally circular path around the axis of rotation of said rotatable member, said loop being distended by rotation of said rotatable member and being deflected from its normal path upon impact with a body.

13. A manipulator comprising a motor, a rotatable member driven by said motor, and an impact member mounted on said rotatablev member for imparting successive blows upon a body to be manipulated, said impact member having a flexible strip of textile material forming a loop extending outwardly from the axis of rotation of said rotatable member movable by said rotatable member in a continuous generally circular path around said axis of rotation, said loop being distended outwardly by rotation of said rotatable member and being deflected from its normal path upon impact with a body.

14. A manipulator comprising a motor, a rotatable member actuated by said motor, a belt forming a loop extending outwardly from the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and having the terminal portions at one end of the loop mounted on said rotatable member, said loop being movable by said rotatable member in a continuous generally circular path around the said axis of rotation, said loop being distended outwardly by rotation of said rotatable member and being deflected from its normal path upon impact with a body.

15. A manipulator comprising a motor, a rotatable member actuated by said motor, a body impact member extending outwardly from the axis 4 of rotation of the rotatable member and means for securing said impact member to said rotatable member, said impact member being a strip of flexible textile material and having portions for attachment by said securing means to said rotatable member and other portions extending outwardly from said rotatable member to form a loop, said loop being movable by said rotatable member in a continuous generally circular path and being deflected from its path upon impact with a body.

16. A manipulation device having a body impact member, a rotatable member, and means for mounting said impact member on said rotatable member for continuous rotary movement therewith, said impact member including a flexible strip formed as a loop extending outwardly from the axis of rotation of said rotatable member and movable with said rotatable. member in a continuous generally circular path around said axis of rotation for successive impacts upon the body.

JAMES E. GIBSON. JOSEPH A. WOLLE. 

